Building Homes for All

Author: Elaine Kachala

Illustrator: Catherine Chan

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers, 2026

Pages: 96

Grade Level: 4 - 7

ISBN:  978-1459839564  

The need for homes for people versus the problem of the pollution caused by building homes: that is the premise of this book.  The estimate is that we humans need to build over 96,000 new homes a day to be able to house the people who need them.  But building and construction cause 40% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. How can we fix the housing problem without polluting the earth? 

Some of the solutions for this problem are actually changing the old ways of doing things and discovering new technologies for building homes. Some of the ideas you’ll learn more about in this book involve construction robots on the construction site helping make homes for less money.  The use of manufactured wood products that are fire resistant and can be assembled like LEGO pieces also helps keep the carbon dioxide inside the wood instead of polluting the air.  People are using 3-D printers to print homes!  This technology is part of the new era of construction.  

The book also has ideas for how students can help with the problem.  Some involve learning more about modern construction, writing, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and even fundraising. 

Audrey Campbell, Media Center Director

Valley Adventist Schools, Rogers Campus

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